OUR WORK

never underestimate the dynamic change that a small group of engaged individuals can create, together…

MISSION:

Raices Cultura is committed to the empowerment of youth and adult residents through artistic self-expression and cultural inclusivity. We promote the preservation of cultural traditions and the development of personal voice, creativity, and civic engagement through the arts - all in service of transformative justice.

VISION:

We envision a self-sustaining arts & culture hub that is humanistic in its ethos and thriving with engaged participants of all ages from the Coachella Valley and beyond.

PURPOSE:

Our programs gather like-minded people to work together toward shared goals leading to the strengthening of personal agency and the development of community-focused activism. Through our dynamic programmatic offerings, vital educational opportunities, and horizon-broadening cultural events and excursions, we foster imagination, creativity, and personal expression in individuals on a journey of self-actualization.

ORIGIN:

Since its inception, Raices Cultura has always operated as a small group of individuals interested in community engagement and the creation of beneficial social change. What started in 2004, as a group of friends talking about how to create new experiences for their community, has grown into a 501c3 arts & culture nonprofit organization over the last 15 years.

Young community leaders founded Raices Cultura to create positive change in their rural communities. The initial focus was to develop social justice efforts and increase critical consciousness in local youth by harnessing the strong-rooted history of activism in the Eastern Coachella Valley. This collective work has tackled everything from challenging local politics, to advocating for public green spaces and creating building blocks for a healthier community, celebrating and preserving traditional heritage, fostering art & culture, and facilitating educational campaigns about human rights, with an overall focus on uplifting the youth population.

As a local grassroots group, the work we do empowers community by growing leadership through individual & team engagement and building awareness of social issues both at home and abroad. We provide access to the visual and performing arts, educational opportunities, and cultural events and excursions - all free of charge.

As a primarily volunteer-driven space, Raices Cultura operates as a flexible and innovative incubator for local youth, artists, and community activists who strive to create new realities in the form of cultural events, hands-on workshops, educational opportunities, social outings & gatherings, and grassroots organizing to benefit the residents of the Coachella Valley. We are funded through donations from individuals, grant awards, fundraising efforts, and select event sponsorships.

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Founding Members of Raices Cultura:

Carlos Campos

Chris Escobedo

Eduardo Garcia

Carlos Gonzales

Luisa Heredia

Bonifacio Hernandez

Maria Machuca

Joe Mota

Roger Nuñez

Ramon Ortega

Gabriel Perez

V. Manuel Perez

Tone Rubio

Juan Carlos Sanchez

Carlos Silva

Ana Vargas

SCOPE OF WORK

Current Programs and Projects:
Dia de Los Muertos Annual Block Party - a community celebration of departed loved ones (2005 - current)
Coachella Festival Art Installation, a youth-led art & team-building project (2012 - current)
CV Days of Los Muertos - a valley-wide collaborative of partners celebrating Dia de Los Muertos (2013 - current)
Radio Raices Cultura KWXZ 95.1 FM LP, an in-house community-led radio station (2018 - current)
Nepantleras, a women and girls empowerment group (2013 - current)
Open Mic, an all-ages community platform for self-expression (2015 - current)
Tierra de Raices, an environmentalism program with a focus on composting & sustainability (2017 - current)
Raices Cultura Media Production - youth radio broadcasting & video production (2019 - current)
Summer Art Workshops, youth & young adult art classes led by local artists-in-residence (2019 - current)

Civic Engagement Work:
Community Healing Circles (2016-2018)
Get to Know Your Candidate, a Local Election Forum (2016 - 2018)
DACA Renewal Workshops (2016 - 2018)
Know Your Rights Workshops (2016 - 2018)
United Farm Worker Meetings (2016 - present)

Lead Organization with Building Healthy Communities (BHC) Collaborative & The California Endowment Partnership:
HUE Festival, Creation of a Youth-led Music Festival (2012 - 2015)
Boys and Men of Color, Lead Initiative and Coalition Building (2012 - 2017)
Women and Girls of Color, Initiate Group & Lead Space (2013 - 2018)
Youth Participatory Action Research, 2-year needs assessment project for parks and recreation (2015-2017)
Capacity Building Training, 1 year program (2016)
Restorative Justice Program in East Valley High Schools (2015 - 2018)